World Language

Language and communication are at the heart of the human experience. The study of another language enhances the ability to communicate and provides unique experiences to learn about and learn from other peoples and their cultures. The study of another language affords students access to cultures, enhances basic communication skills in their first language, improves higher­ order thinking skills, and develops discipline necessary for learning. In our multicultural society, communication skills help prepare students to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing, technologically oriented, and interdependent world.

We further believe that the study of World Language:

Enables students to interact and communicate with others while gaining a greater understanding of and respect for the products, practices, and perspectives of different cultures;

Affords opportunity to see connections among the various disciplines by incorporating visual and performing arts, health and physical education, language arts literacy, mathematics, science, social studies and workplace readiness into the world language classroom;

Provides students with a sense of personal satisfaction and enjoyment in their ability to communicate with people from other cultures;

Allows students to learn the language as they use language;

Creates competency in more than one language and culture and enables students to look beyond their customary borders;

Assists students in developing insights into their own language and culture;

Creates the opportunity for students participate more fully in the global community and marketplace;

Benefits all students as they develop and maintain proficiency in more than one language;

Provides the opportunity to study language and culture education as part of the core curriculum.

As a result of this K-12 World Language Curriculum, students will:

1. Engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
2. Understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
3. Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship among the products, practices and perspectives of the culture studied.
5. Reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the world language.
6. Acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.
7. Demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studies
and their own.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons across cultures.
9. Use the language both within and beyond the school setting.
10. Show evidence of becoming lifelong learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and
enrichment.